Infrastructure & development — Topics

20 Jan 2014

Value of HDB Flats on 99-Year Leases and Flats Undergoing Redevelopment under SERS Programme

Mr Gerald Giam asked about the number of HDB blocks over 40 years into their 99-year lease, the value of flats at lease end, the average annual flats redeveloped under SERS over the past decade, and whether SERS can redevelop all blocks before lease expiry.
Mr Khaw Boon Wan stated that about 31,000 flats across 300 HDB blocks are over 40 years into their leases, and SERS has benefited around 18,000 flat owners in the last 10 years.
SERS is selective, with pace depending on redevelopment potential and resource availability, and HDB flats revert to the state upon lease expiry, with no value retained.

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20 Jan 2014

HDB Rental Flats for Low-income Families

Tin Pei Ling asked whether HDB is on track to provide 60,000 rental units by 2017 and whether blocks under the Selective En bloc Redevelopment Scheme can be set aside for rental by low-income families.
The Minister for National Development confirmed HDB is on schedule to reach 60,000 rental units by 2017, with new units becoming available as projects are completed.
Vacated blocks under the Selective En bloc Redevelopment Scheme are generally slated for demolition for redevelopment, but may be used for interim rental housing if redevelopment is not imminent.

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20 Jan 2014

HDB's Lift Upgrading Programme in Potong Pasir Estate

Sitoh Yih Pin proposed extending HDB's Lift Upgrading Programme to specific blocks in Potong Pasir estate.
Khaw Boon Wan explained that the low number of units per block without direct lift access makes the cost exceed budget limits.
HDB will seek new technology to address technical and cost barriers while offering special assistance for residents with medical needs.

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20 Jan 2014

Reducing Car Parks and Increasing Parking Fees in Central Business District

Mrs Lina Chiam inquired about reducing car parks and raising parking fees in the CBD to control private vehicle numbers.
The government has progressively lowered parking requirements in the CBD since 2002, with further allowances for reduced parking spaces and conversions to other uses.
While parking fees are not currently regulated, the government continues to facilitate building owners in converting surplus car park lots to other purposes.

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20 Jan 2014

Plans for Eastern Region MRT Line

Mr Lim Biow Chuan inquired about the progress and timeline for announcing the details of the Eastern Region MRT Line stations.
Minister Lui Tuck Yew confirmed the line is in the detailed design phase, with gazetting of the alignment and station locations targeted for the second half of the year.
The exchange highlights ongoing planning efforts for the Eastern Region MRT Line, with station details expected to be formalized soon.

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20 Jan 2014

Delays in Lift Upgrading Projects

Mr Zainal Sapari asked the Minister for National Development about the number of late lift upgrading projects since 2012, reasons for delays, and punitive actions against contractors.
Minister Khaw Boon Wan reported that 18 out of 257 precincts (7%) in 2012 were completed past the deadline, with 43 more (17%) expected to be delayed, citing delays in underground service diversions, resident-requested design changes, and contractor planning or manpower issues.
HDB imposes liquidated damages on contractors for delays caused by their slow progress to speed up the projects.

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20 Jan 2014

Update on Traffic Conditions on Marina Coastal Expressway

Minister Lui Tuck Yew reported that after initial congestion on the first working day, traffic on the Marina Coastal Expressway (MCE) has been smooth and faster than on the old East Coast Parkway, attributing the early jam to driver unfamiliarity rather than a design flaw.
The Land Transport Authority (LTA) took immediate measures such as increasing signage, traffic advisories, and lane adjustments, while also noting key lessons on the need for more intensive pre-opening publicity and familiarization efforts.
Following improvements in traffic flow, LTA is reviewing Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) charges for the upcoming quarter due to speeds exceeding the 65 km/h threshold on the MCE and adjoining roads.

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12 Nov 2013

Impact of Tightened Foreign Worker Inflow on Pace of Public Infrastructure Developments

The government is progressing with major public infrastructure projects across housing, transport, healthcare, and aviation, with specific targets and timelines set for completions between 2014 and the 2030s.
Tightened foreign worker policies may temporarily affect construction time and costs, but the government is monitoring the industry and pressing ahead with efforts to improve productivity.
Despite potential short-term adjustments from foreign manpower measures, public infrastructure development plans are on track to support Singapore's growth as a regional hub.

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12 Nov 2013

Flood-Proofing Walkways and Footpaths

Png Eng Huat asked about efforts to reduce water ponding on walkways during heavy storms and whether PUB tracks flood-prone walkways.
Vivian Balakrishnan explained that walkways are built above road levels to minimize flooding, but lower sections may accumulate water, prompting the use of open gratings, camber, and scupper drains.
PUB will install more open gratings and drop inlet chambers in flood-prone areas to improve water flow into drains and prevent overflow.
Localised depressions from ground subsidence or tree roots will be addressed by PUB advising relevant agencies and Town Councils for rectification.

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12 Nov 2013

Noise Reduction Measures at Lorong 8 Toa Payoh

Mrs Lina Chiam inquired about measures to reduce increased traffic noise from the widened slip road near residential blocks in Lorong 8 Toa Payoh.
Minister Lui Tuck Yew explained that the slip road is part of a project to facilitate bus access into the bus bay along Braddell Road.
The widened road remains within URA guidelines for distance from residential blocks.
Dense tree planting will be implemented along the strip to mitigate any rise in road traffic noise.

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11 Nov 2013

Persistent Traffic Jams along Wan Tho Avenue during Peak Hours

Sitoh Yih Pin asked the Minister for Transport about plans to ease persistent traffic jams along Wan Tho Avenue during peak hours.
Lui Tuck Yew announced that LTA will put up signs by year-end directing motorists toward the city and PIE to use alternative routes like Pheng Geck Avenue and Tai Thong Crescent.
The developer of Sennett Residences will widen Wan Tho Avenue near the junction with Upper Serangoon Road before the development is completed.
These measures are expected to help ease the traffic queue along Wan Tho Avenue during peak hours.

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11 Nov 2013

New Hawker Centres

The new hawker centre in Yishun is scheduled for completion in the third quarter of 2016, with additional coffee shops and private food outlets planned for the area.
Stall allocation in hawker centres is conducted through open tenders open to all, without priority based on residents' location, to ensure fairness and broader opportunities.
The National Environment Agency (NEA) will assess the need for new hawker centres in existing towns based on resident needs and site availability, and new towns like Bidadari and Tengah will include food outlets.
Efforts are underway to encourage new hawkers and preserve traditional hawkerfare, including collaborations for training programs like the Hawker Master Trainer Pilot Programme.

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11 Nov 2013

Percentage of Land Area Designated for Public Housing and Private Condominium Developments

Between 2008 and 2012, 53% of land designated for residential development went to non-landed private housing while 47% went to public housing.
The government allocates land to HDB for public housing and releases state land for private housing through the government land sales programme.
Land supply is calibrated based on projected housing needs, buyer preferences, and prevailing property market conditions.

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11 Nov 2013

URA's Art Incentive Scheme for New Developments In Central Area

URA's Art Incentive Scheme for New Developments in the Central Area ran from 2005 to 2012, offering additional gross floor area to developers who integrated public artworks in their projects, resulting in 36 artworks across nine private developments.
The scheme was deemed successful in catalyzing public art along activity corridors, with many developers now voluntarily installing artworks without incentives, as seen with pieces like "Nutmeg and Mace" and "The Bull."
The Ministry plans to continue promoting public art in commercial developments through various measures, including non-GFA incentives like NParks' installation of "Playsets of Yesteryears" at Raffles Place.

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11 Nov 2013

Supply of Dormitories for Foreign Workers

Sitoh Yih Pin asked whether there will be sufficient dormitories for foreign workers, noting his interest as a director of a company involved in dormitory construction.
Khaw Boon Wan said the government is increasing dormitory supply by releasing new sites and facilitating development to meet current and future demand.
He also noted that not all foreign workers stay in dormitories, as they can be housed in converted industrial properties, site quarters, or rent HDB and private apartments.
The government aims to reduce over-concentration of foreign workers in HDB estates by promoting purpose-built dormitories.
The overall approach seeks to balance housing needs with community integration.

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11 Nov 2013

Increases in ERP Charges

Lim Biow Chuan asked the Ministry of Transport to freeze ERP charge increases until public transport alternatives, such as buses and trains, are significantly improved in speed and comfort.
Lui Tuck Yew explained that ERP charges are designed to manage road congestion by influencing driver behavior, and a freeze would lead to more congested roads.
Lui also outlined ongoing public transport enhancements, including the Bus Service Enhancement Programme, upcoming Downtown Line stages, and rail network expansions and upgrades.

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11 Nov 2013

Proposal for Bus Rapid Transit System

Alex Yam inquired whether the Ministry would consider implementing a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system alongside MRT development and what factors limit replacing conventional buses with BRT.
Lui Tuck Yew explained that BRT requires features like segregated lanes and dedicated stations, which are impractical in Singapore’s urbanized environment and existing rail network.
The government is instead enhancing the current bus system with BRT-like features such as signal priority and expanded bus lanes.
No plans for a full BRT system are underway due to space constraints and the priority on expanding the rail network.
The focus remains on improving conventional buses with targeted measures rather than a complete shift to BRT.

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11 Nov 2013

Sheltered Walkways under Walk2Ride Programme

The Walk2Ride programme will expand the sheltered walkway network by an additional 200km, connecting public transport nodes to residential, commercial, and leisure developments within 400m of MRT stations and 200m of LRT stations and bus interchanges.
Residents of private estates near these public transport nodes will benefit from the new sheltered walkways, encouraging greater use of public transport across all segments of the population.
Tenders for sheltered walkways around MRT stations in all HDB towns in the northeastern and northwestern parts of Singapore have been called, with contracts targeted for award in the first quarter of 2014.
The detailed construction programme, including the specific locations of the walkways, will be determined by appointed contractors in consultation with the community.

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11 Nov 2013

Cycling Culture in Singapore

The Ministry for Transport outlined plans to expand the cycling path network to about 190 km in HDB towns by 2020 and over 700 km island-wide in 15 years.
Initiatives include linking cycling paths to Park Connector Networks and creating inter-town routes to facilitate longer-distance cycling.
Bicycle parking facilities will be enhanced, with 3,000 racks at MRT stations by 2014 and sufficient parking in HDB estates and community amenities.

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11 Nov 2013

Waste Disposal by Fish Farm Operators

Ms Faizah Jamal asked the Minister for National Development about AVA’s plans to monitor and penalize fish farm operators who dump waste on Pulau Ubin, and when an effective door-to-door trash collection system will be implemented.
The Minister responded that fish farmers are required under their license to dispose of waste properly, with collection points at Lim Chu Kang jetty, Changi Creek, and Senoko Fishery Port, and noted that door-to-door collection was deemed too costly for farmers.
AVA conducts routine inspections, including night raids, and works with the Police Coast Guard to monitor and enforce against illegal dumping, while also providing regular briefings on proper waste management.
A new jetty with a waste collection centre at Lorong Halus is planned for early 2014 to better facilitate waste disposal for eastern fish farmers.

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